A wide variety of conditions and illnesses can lead to tinnitus. Blockages of the ear due to a buildup of wax, an ear infection, or rarely, a tumor of the nerve that allows us to hear (auditory nerve) can cause the unwanted sounds, as can a perforated eardrum.

Certain drugs -- most notably aspirin, several types of antibiotics and quinine medications -- can contribute to the condition as well. In fact, tinnitus is cited as a potential side effect for about 200 prescription and nonprescription drugs.

The natural process of aging can result in a deterioration of the cochlea or other parts of the ear and lead to tinnitus. Tinnitus is also associated with Meniere's disease, a disease that affects the inner part of the ear, and otosclerosis, a disease that results in stiffening of the small bones in the middle ear.

Other medical conditions that can cause ringing in the ears include high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, anemia, allergies and an underactive thyroid gland. Tinnitus can also be a symptom of a problem in the neck or jaw, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.

The most common source of long-lasting tinnitus is prolonged exposure to loud sounds. Up to 90% of people with tinnitus have some level of noise induced hearing loss. The noise causes permanent damage to the sound-sensitive cells of the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear. A single exposure to a sudden extremely loud noise can also cause tinnitus. What kind of effect do alcohol and tobacco use have on Tinnitus? Tinnitus can worsen in some people if they drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, drink caffeinated beverages or eat certain foods.

For reasons not yet entirely clear to researchers, stress and fatigue seems to worsen tinnitus.

Niacin flush is an infrequent response to Niacin that is completely harmless and easily explained. This flushing feeling can be accompanied by an itching and tingling of the skin. One of niacin's important benefits is its ability to dilate blood vessels and thereby increase blood flow to various organs of the body. Superficially, the increased blood flow may sometimes result in a blush of the skin and a sense of warmth. This flushing feeling can be accompanied by an itching and tingling of the skin. Flush prone individuals may prevent flushing by taking capsules with a meal and avoiding alcohol or hot drinks for 90 minutes thereafter. One may also use low dose (81mg) aspirin :30 minutes prior to use as further prevention. In the rare event of a Niacin flush reaction (heat, rash, itchiness, dizziness...a benign reaction lasting from 10 -60 minutes) one may take an aspirin or antihistamine and drink 2-3 glasses of water to immediately mitigate the reaction.